Pinot Noir

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Species: Vitis Vinifera
Parentage: Unknown
Aliases: Blauburgunder, Spatburgunder, Rulanske modre
Grape Color: Black
Regions: Chiefly associated with France’s Burgundy region. Also prevalent in Champagne, France; California; New Zealand

“With so voluptuous a perfume, so sweet an edge, they make the blood run hot,” Joel Fleischman, wine columnist at Vanity Fair, once described of Pinot Noir. Also christening it as a fickle mistress, a minx, and as sex in a glass, wine critics have had no hesitation in oft comparing Pinot Noir to a woman.

With many qualities lending themselves to this parallel, the best is likely that the Pinor Noir grape is difficult. Difficult to cultivate. Difficult to transform into wine. Difficult to pinpoint in taste.

The Pinot Noir grape is grown in tightly clustered dark purple, pine-cone shaped bunches, the resemblance from which it gets its name. Considered to produce the finest wines in the world, its fame as a Noble grape goes hand in hand with France’s Burgundy wine region.

Some giveaway qualities of the Pinot Noir are its thin skin, early ripening during growing season, and summer-fruit aromas such as those of strawberries and red cherries. You will notice that wines made of this varietal tend to have complex aromas, as well a smooth, silky texture. Pinot Noir also has light tannins and a structure that holds its own, giving it the ability to be paired well with many foods. However, because of its thin skin, the firsthand challenge for vintners lies in drawing color and flavor from these skins without extracting large amounts of tannin.

Pinot Noir tend to grow best in cool-climate regions, where while their youthful flavors hint of red berries, their more mature wines develop earthier flavors ranging from forest floor to violets to ripe tomatoes. This broad range of flavors from fruits to flowers to even licorice is what tends to confuse even the most experienced tasters.

The roots of Pinot Noir are no less complex than the grape itself. During first century A.D. this varietal was known to the Ancient Romans as Helvanacia Minor, which they turned into wine during their conquest of France’s Burgundy region, where it too was wildly popular. For hundreds of years in the Burgundy region, the hilly region where Pinot Noir was cultivated was known as Côte d'Or -- “The Slope of Gold.”

This red wine grape produces wines closer to a garnet color, unlike many red wines. It does not share the longevity of many other varietals, as it reaches its peak approximately 5-8 years past vintage. Despite the fact that its character can be hard to pinpoint, Pinot Noir is praised by vintners for striking the perfect balance of fruit, alcohol, acidity, and tannin in its wines.

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Vinum Cellars Pinot Noir Monterey

Winery:	Vinum Cellars
Region:	USA » California » Monterey
Type:	Table Wines

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Herb-Crusted Salmon with Spinach Salad

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Golden Anniversary: Pinot Noir Celebrates 50th Year in Oregon

Oregon’s wine families scoured the state fifty years ago looking for the perfect Pinot Noir site. They found it in the Willamette Valley, The Oregonian reporter Molly Harbarger said in an atricle this week. Fifty years later, the Pinot market is booming.

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Mentor for Pinot Noir Wines

Erica Landin

While working as a Biotech equities analyst, a divine Burgundy stopped me in my tracks and made me re-evaluate life. Today, I'm a full time wine writer. Passionate about small, quality producers, minimal intervention winemaking & sustainability in wine.

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Pinot Noir on Snooth

December 2010

Sea Smoke Pinot Noir Santa Rita Hills Sta. Rita Hills Southing 2008

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Wws Pinot Noir Meiomi 2008

Snoothrank:

Really enjoyed this wine. Had it at a private tasitng last night and bought ... ... two bottles. Very nice Pinot Noir, easy drinking at an excellent price. Hints of tobacco and a bit of dustynes Read More

Wine review by krisee
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Wws Pinot Noir Meiomi 2008

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This is a really impressive bottle. Tasted in Glen Ellyn 12/4/2010. Read More

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Brassfield Pinot Noir North Coast California 2009

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This a nice medium body pinot noir. Traditional profile with strawberry and earth. Read More

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Pinot Noir wine ratings and reviews

Winery:	Pike Road
Region:	USA » Oregon » Willamette Valley
Type:	Table Wines

Winery:	Domaine de la Romanée-Conti
Region:	France » Burgundy » Côte d'Or » Côte de Nuits » Vosne-romanée » Richebourg
Type:	Table Wines

Winery:	Flowers Vineyard & Winery
Region:	USA » California » Sonoma County » Sonoma Coast
Type:	Table Wines

Winery:	Patz & Hall Wine Co.
Region:	USA » California » Monterey County » Santa Lucia Highlands
Type:	Table Wines

Winery:	Kosta Browne Winery
Region:	USA » California » Sonoma County » Sonoma Coast
Type:	Table Wines

Winery:	Domaine Fourrier
Region:	France » Burgundy » Nuits
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Winery:	The Ojai Vineyard
Region:	USA » California » Santa Barbara » Santa Rita Hills
Type:	Table Wines

Pinot Noir

Vinum Cellars Pinot Noir Monterey

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Pike Road Pinot Noir

Mark's Osso Buco alla Fiorentina

Drc Richebourg

Roasted Salmon with White Bean, Almond & Radicchio Salad

Flowers Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast

Roasted Mallard Duck with Red Currant Sauce

Patz & Hall Pinot Noir Santa Lucia Highlands Pisoni Vineyard

Osso Buco

Kosta Browne Pinot Noir Santa Lucia Highlands

Roasted Breast of Duck with Orange Cranberry Sauce

Sine Qua Non Pinot Noir Yamhill County Hollerin' M

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Domaine Fourrier Gevrey-Chambertin Vieille Vigne

Simple Roast Duckling

Fe Ciega Pinot Noir

Salmon with Roasted Shiitakes and Mushroom Sauce Recipe

89065Gregory Dal Piaz

842795Matt Walker

1048596Food and Wine Lists

655857wfe00sw

1488564Xino

1426003Hilarey Travieso

739230JerseyBoyinPA

1138957Kathy Laplace

1379755sdhuey

1335724Wencis Jude Acosta

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